Hedge-trimming machine.



'M.. BIELENBERG.

HEDGE TRIMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION nun MAY 12. 1909.

954,667. Patented Apr.!12, 1910.

' 'rovided with an abutment f for the spikes into the ground by stamp ng wit 1' MABKUS BIELENBEEG, OF SANK'I MARGABETHEN, GERMANY.

HEDGE-TBIMIMING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters l'atent.

Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

Application filed May 12, 1909. Serial No. 495,417.

Machine, of which the following is a speci fication.

'- The present invention relates to a machine for trimming hedges and trees in vertical and horizontal, as 'well as in inclined and curvilinear directions.

Special objects ofthe invention are to simplify and cheapen the construction and to render more etlicient serviceable and durable in operation devices of the kind referred to. l

With these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combination, arrangement and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafter explained, shown in the accompanying drawings and then specifically set out in the'iappended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows the hedge trimming machine fitted up ready for use. Fig. 2 shows the cutting device in a se view Fig. 3 represents a plan view of ig. 2 Fig. 4 illustrates a special manipulation of the cutting device Figs. 5 and 6 show details of construction.

The bed e trimming machine consists essentially four parts, of a tripod supporting structure or trestle, of a rod-pivoted in the aforesaid trestle so as to be movable in all directions, of a cutting mechanism at the top end of the aforesaid rod and of a source of energy for actuating the cutting mech- The sup orting structure consists of a tripod trest e, the feet of which are pivoted in the bearing a. It is advisable to employ telescoping feet, which enable the trestle to be firmly fixed .in the desired height on planeor uneven ground. a In the drawing the ,lower sections of the telescoping feet are denominated b the up-. per sections, which engage the tubular lower sections, being denominated c. B means of a cotter pin d, or of a clamping e 'ice' of desired suitable construction, not shown, the two sections b, c of thefeet can .be fixed ,in the required'correlati've position.

ikes e The lower sections b terminate m arate "j ournaled in a bracket 1g fix the foot thereon or by hammer blows, so that the trestle can be rigidly su ported.

A chain g interconnecting the fleet of the trestle revents the feet from being turned outwar 1y beyond a certain angle. In the middle of this chain 9 is hung up a weight which holdsthe chain taut.

The trestle serves for supporting the cut ting device in such a manner that the latter may be conveniently handled from the ground.

' A rod h, adapted to carry the cutting device at its top end, is provided at its lower end witha. tubular socketi for the insertion of a handle in. This rod h, which may be built up of a number of sections, if desired, can be pivotally supported at the top of the trestle. In order to lock the rod It against axial displacement, when sameis being actuated from the ground, a socket is providedin the bearing a permitting the engagement of a stud l on the rod It. The pivotal connection effected by the engagement of the stud l in the aforementioned socket enables therod h to be turned in all directions in managin the work ofthe cutting device, to be described in detail later on. To render; possible the axial adjustment of the rod h in its pivotaLsock'et, in accordance with the work to be performed by the cuttingdevice, a number of studs I may be arranged on the rod h at suitable distances apart.

The cutting stellated cuttin device comprises a pair of blades'mounted on a common spindle. no of these blades, in the example shown in the drawing the blade .2 provided with the knives m is rotatably supported, while the second blade n provided with the knives 0 15 fixed. The leaves twigs and light branches of the hedge ortree to be trimmed engaging the openfipaees between the knives m-and 0 are cut on imparting a rotary motion to the blade 3. To secure the twigs and light branches against Withdrawal from between the knives m and 0 e1ther the knives are alone or both knives m and 0 are fitted'with curved cutting edges, as shown in Fig. 2.

The motive tary knife bla ower is imparted to the roe z from the shaft p, which is ed' at the top end of the rod It. The free extremity of the isr-cgnnectedto' a couplfi withaqriving shaft of the source 11 flexible shaft r of energy. The flexible shaft '1" is chosen of such a length, that the effective work of the cutting device is rendered possible at the various heights reached by the proper adjustment of the rod 11. in its pivotal socket.

The cutting or trimming operation is directed or managed from the ground by suitably manipulatlng the handle k of the rod h.

In machines for trimming trees, which are necessarily of stronger construction, a fly wheel may be fixed on the free extremity of the shaft p. The momentum which the fly wheel attains in rapidly rotating the knife blade .2 assists incutting even thicker branches,

The urce of energy for rotating the knife blade 2 is represented in the drawing by a treadle motor. The oscillatory motion of the treadle lever s is translated into a continuous circular motion of the shaft u by means of a crank t and pitman rod 25 The drive gear just described is mounted in a bracket or frame v easily portable and adapted to provide a firm basis. A pulley w on the drive shaft a which pulley may simultaneously serve as a fly wheel, is in connection with the pulley w of smaller diameter on the shaft 3 by means of an endless belt a: or the like. Coupled to the shaft 1 is the flexible shaft r for imparting rotary motion to the knife blades.

The crank shaft 14 is advantageously arranged so as to receive a hand crank as indi' cated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, should it be desired toutilize manual power in driving the machine.

Circumstances permitting, electric or other power may be employed as a driving agent.

l-Vhen the machine is required for trimming low hedges andtrees, the tripod trestle may be dispensed with. In this instance the cutting device is separated from the rod h and fitted with a forked handle, as shown in Fig. 2, for manipulating the cutting device.

directly.

In cutting or trimming big trees in horizontal directions,the cutting device is manipulated by means of a suitably long red h from a ladder or the like. To relieve the operator, a semi-spherical socket 1 is placed with the concavity on an upstandingbranch to gain a supporting basis for the rod [2,, the

latter with one of its studs l engaging'a depression 2 in the top of the socket 1. A handle 3 facilitates the displacement .of the socket 1 when required.

To protect the cutting mechanism from down falling branches and the like, a hood or cap snot shown in the drawing) may be arrange for housing the drive gear.

and servin While I have shown in, the accompanying drawings the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that ,I do not limit miyself to the precise form shown, for many 0 the details ma be changed in form or position withoutafi ecting the operativeness or utility of my invention, and I therefore reserve the right to make all such modifications as are included within the scope of the following claims, or of mechanical equivalents to the structure set forth.

hat I do claim as m invention, and desire to secure by Letters atent, is:

1. A machine for trimmin trees comprising a pair of ste lated cutting blades mounted adjacent to one another, a shaft rendering one of said cutting blades rotatable, a separable rod .for carrying the cutting device and directin same in its work from the ground, means fir pivotally supporting said rod, a-trestle affording the said pivotal support, a flexible shaft coupled with the said driving shaft of the rotary cutting blade and means for imparting a rotary motion to the flexible shaft, substantially as described and shown.

2. In a machine for trimming hedges and trees. of the nature set forth, a cutting mechanism, a rod carrying the cutting mechanism and serving for manipulating same, a humber of studs on said rod at distances apart, an elevated support for resting the rod. thereon in its manipulation from the ground, a socket in connection with the said elevated support for the engagement of one of the studs on the said rod, so as to attain a pivotal connectionreudering the rod -dirigihis in all directions, substantially as described and'shown.

3. In a machine vfortrimming hedges and trees of the nature set forth, a cutting mechanism, a rod carrying the cutting mechanism for manipulating same, a nuinberof stu s on said rod at distance apart, an adjustable tripod trestle for resting the rod' thereon in .its manipulation from the ground. a socket in connection with the said adjustable tripod trestle for the engagement done of the studs on thesaid rod,.'so as to attain a pivotal connection rendering the rod dirigible in all directions, substantially. as described and shown. a

hedges and. v

In witness whereof I havehereunto signed 7 my name this 30 day of April1909, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARKUs BIELENBERG.

\Vitnesses:

LEOPOLD SKANo'rzKI,

ERNEST H. L. MUMMnNHorr. 

